Lyons, France, dated 17th December 2015 -- GF Machining Solutions, manufacturers of machine-tools, delivers machines with a software suite composed of Rhinoceros software for modelling and visualising pieces before machining and one CAM module for calculating and transmitting tool paths to the machines.

However, despite the reliability of this installation, users tend to encounter a recurrent problem: this solution does not permit them to easily machine pieces created on other design software, because they first need to be imported into Rhino.

In order to match GF Machining Solutions’ vision consisting of providing a complete, reliable and efficient solution from the preparation phase through to the machining phase, GF Machining Solutions and Datakit are combining their technologies to allow simplified preparation for machining with irreproachable quality of execution.

“Import capacities into Rhino are limited. Only a few import formats are compatible”, explains Jean-Paul NICOLLET, Marketing Director at GF Machining Solutions. “Up until now the only solution for our users was to transit through neutral formats such as IGES or STEP for import into Rhino. But this solution is tedious and may lead to loss of data and time. This explains why we have made use of Datakit and its plug-ins for Rhino. Thanks to them we are able to offer our clients the direct import of numerous CAD formats into Rhino”.

Actually Datakit is editor of CrossCad/Plg: a range of plug-ins added to Rhinoceros with the possibility of importing a dozen supplementary CAD formats. These plug-ins enable all Rhino users to work on models emanating from third-party software such as ACIS, CATIA V4, V5 & V6, CGR, Inventor, JT, Parasolid, PLMXML, ProE / Creo Parametric, Solid Edge and UG NX.

“Our plug-ins are already widely used by Rhino users over the whole world”, emphasises Olivier RIGOLLET, CEO at Datakit. “They are recognised as indispensable components for working with other CAD formats. The confidence we place in GF Machining Solutions both demonstrates again the reliability of our plug-ins and offers our clients a complete low cost solution”.

Following a phase of successful trials the two companies concluded an agreement permitting GF Machining Solutions to provide these Datakit plug-ins to clients via its 20 branches in over 50 countries worldwide. So Rhino users can import models using most CAD formats and immediately use their machine tooling.

So users are provided a quality, robust and interoperable CAM suite thanks to the combined technologies of the two companies.

About Datakit

Datakit is a leading company founded in 1994, specialized in CAD data exchange solutions and services. It offers standalone converters, plug-ins and SDK that import, analyze and export a large number of CAD formats. Datakit exposes a wide range of geometrical and semantic data (assemblies, annotations, metadata, PMI…) through its varied range of products. It also provides support services for the migration of CAD databases to help customers choose the best data transfer solutions. It works closely together with independent software vendors that currently integrate its CAD data exchange solutions to their own software.

GF Machining Solutions is the world’s leading provider of machines, Automation solutions and services to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components. Products range from electric discharge machines and high-speed and high-performance Milling machines - including clamping and palletization systems - to 3D Laser surface texturing machines, services, spare and expendable parts, consumables, and Automation solutions.

Based in Switzerland and maintaining a presence on 50 sites worldwide, GF Machining Solutions is a globally active group and source of strength to its customers. A company belonging to Georg Fischer Group (Switzerland), GF Machining Solutions has 3,008 employees and generated sales of CHF 905 million in 2014.